50th anniversary of the closing of Alcatraz prison

March 20, 2013

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary closed on March 21, 1963. During its 29 years as a prison it held some of America's most infamous criminals, some of whom tried desperately to escape "the Rock."

Duke Downey/The Chronicle

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A patrol boat with Marines standing in the bow stands off the east or non-combatant, shore of Alcatraz on May 4, 1946. From May 2–4, 1946, six prisoners led a failed attempt to escape, which became known as the "Battle of Alcatraz." The prisoners overpowered guards in the cell house and captured weapons. However they were unable to unlock the outside door and decided to hole up and fight it out. In the center of the picture, directly above the three-inch gun, is the main cell block. The other side of the building is the battleground for the Alcatraz war, where guards replied to the felons' fire with a withering barrage through the roof. The boats patrolling off the island were to ensure that no convicts escaped by water and to lend firepower.

Duke Downey/The Chronicle

14of48

A patrol boat with Marines standing in the bow stands off the east or non-combatant, shore of Alcatraz on May 4, 1946. From May 2–4, 1946, six prisoners led a failed attempt to escape, which became known as the "Battle of Alcatraz." The prisoners overpowered guards in the cell house and captured weapons. However they were unable to unlock the outside door and decided to hole up and fight it out. In the center of the picture, directly above the three-inch gun, is the main cell block. The other side of the building is the battleground for the Alcatraz war, where guards replied to the felons' fire with a withering barrage through the roof. The boats patrolling off the island were to ensure that no convicts escaped by water and to lend firepower.